Increment mechanism



May 15, 1951 R. F. HINSCHLAGER INCREMENT MECHANISM Filed April 17, 1946INVENTOR RUDOLPH F. HlNSCHLAGER ATTORNEY Patented May 15, 1951 INCREMENTMECHANISM Rudolph F. Hinschlager, West Orange, N. J assignor, by mesneassignments, to Union Carbide and Carbon Corporation, a corporation ofNew York Application April 17, 1946, Serial No. 662,889

14 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a method of and apparatus for accomplishing astep by step removal of objects from a refrigerator. An object is toprovide a simple and effective mechanism for elfecting such desired stepby step movement. A further object is to remove a plurality of chilledobjects from a refrigerator in a manner to minimize the formation offrost on the objects being removed.

In chilling a number of objects simultaneously as is done in obtaining ashrink fit, it is desirable to utilize one object at a time. If moreobjects than are needed are extracted from the refrigerator their verylow temperature causes moisture in the air to be deposited on themunless precautions are taken.

According to this invention mechanism is provided for accomplishing suchresult by ejecting only one object at a time from a refrigerator. Whilesuch object is being put in position, other cold objects are retractedinto the coldest part of the refrigerator. At the next requirement foran object, a plurality of the spaced objects are simultaneouslyextracted enough to expose only one more object. Each succeeding upwardmovement of the objects is of the same extent as the preceding plus afixed increment of travel equal to the spacing of the objects.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective of one embodiment of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 55 of Fig. 3;

A refrigerator ID of the type described and claimed in the co-pendingapplication of Ahlstrand and Patch, Serial No. 662,700 filed April 17,1946, for Cold Treating Method and Machine has a top H to its outercasing, such top being provided with wells or recesses, not shown,extending through the top into the refrigerator. In each such well orrecess a cartridge l2 may be inserted, such cartridge comprise ing aplurality of superposed object receiving platforms or supports l3. Anyone of a plurality of such cartridges is adapted to be withdrawn fromthe refrigerator by raising the cartridge when attached to atransversely extending beam or boom I4 elevated by the piston rod [5.The boom I4 is secured to a vertical extending slide l6 movable inguideways l8 by rollers I! located in its upper part. The guideway I8comprises channels illustrated in Fig. 2 to which a stationaryconnection 20 is secured by bolts IS. A lower 1 end of the verticalslide [6. The cylinder 24 for compressed air contains a piston not shownbut connected to a piston rod [5. The piston rod I5 is connected at itsupper end with the boom M by a tapered and removable connection soarranged that upward movement of the piston rod' l5 elevates the boomwhile downward movement of the piston rod is actuated by either fluidpressure or gravity.

A control handle 25 for raising and lowering the piston in cylinder 24is connected to a valve within the casing 26. The pipes 21 and 28 areconnected to the plant source of compressed air and to the atmosphererespectively. Pipes 29 and 30 lead to the upper and lower endsrespectively of the cylinder 24. When the control lever 25 is inhorizontal position compressed air isshut off from each end of thecylinder. Upon raising the lever 25 to the position illustrated air isemitted from the pipe 21 through pipe 30 to the lower end of thecylinder raising the piston rod l5.

In order that only one object at a time may be exposed to the atmospherefor removal from the cartridge l2 an increment mechanism is provided forstopping the cartridge at successive platforms. This mechanism includesa housing 3| slidable on the friction bar 22. A rack bar 32 extendssubstantially the full length of travel of the cartridge I2 by pistonrod IS. The upper end 33 of this rack .bar is reduced as illustrated forsliding within an upper bearing while thelower end 34 of the rack bar issimilarly reduced for sliding in a lower bearing 36. The stop block 31is adjustably fixed to whatever position is desired as shown in Fig. 4.This block includes bearing 35 and is adjustably clamped along'theelongated slot illustrated on one side and on the other side is providedwith teeth engaging a short rack bar illustrated at the upper left ofFig. 4. The distance designated A in Fig. 4 between the bottom of thestop block and the top of the rack bar 32 is the increment distancethrough which the cartridge I2 is additionally raised on each upwardstroke as will be described. This distance A is preferably adjusted toequal the separation of the superposed platforms or supports l3.

The lower end of the slide 16 carries a bumper projection 38 secured bybolts 39. Within the. projection 38 is carried a bumper detent 40yieldably mounted in position by spring 4| so that on impact the spring4| may be compressed to the extent indicated by the distance between.the collar of the bumper detent and thetop of its bearing.

Carried by the increment mechanism 3| is a pivotal trigger 42 mounted onshaft 43 about which the trigger is adapted to oscillate. A spring 44normally biases the trigger 42 to a position in which its teethillustrated are disengaged from' travels in the channels 18 for guidingthe lower 30 the teeth of the rack bar 32. A bolt 45 adjusts the stressobtainable from the spring 44. On raising the boom l4 and slide l6, thebumper detent.

the air pressure in the cylinder 24 holds the boom and cartridge in itsadjusted position of elevation. When the control lever 25 is moved tothe down position introducing air to the top of the piston and upper endof the cylinder then the increment mechanism stays in its formerelevated position clamped on the friction bar "22 while the rack bardrops until it is stopped by the top of its lower bearing 36 after thetrigger '42 has been disengaged from the rack bar. The spring 44 isefiective to disengage the trigger from the rack bar after the bumperdetent 49 has moved downward away from the trigger. In addition to thespring 44 positive means are provided for disengaging the trigger fromthe rack bar, such means including a cam finger 46 shown in Figs. 3 and5 as being mounted on the shaft 43. As the vertical slide l6 movesdownward a pin t8 secured thereto also moves downward cooperating withthe cam surface 41 and the finger 46 and moving the finger in acounterclockwise direction as shown in 'Fig. 5 to cause disengagement ofthe trigger teeth from the rack bar in event the spring 44 may notfunction.

' brake pad 49' is located between the friction bar 22 and a clampingplate 5| held against the brake pad by the four clamping springs '5!)shown in 'Figs. 1 and 3 surrounding adjustable bolts passing into theincrement mechanism housing 3"l.' A'spring releasing shaft 53 actuatedby the handle 54 is adapted to relieve pressure of, the springs '50 fromthe brake pad 49. For this purpose plate 51 is provided with a pair ofcam engaging members 52' bolted to the plate 51 as shown in 1. The shaft53 journalled in the housing 3! has within each member 52 cam portions55 sojshaped that by turning the handle 54 in either direction the plate5| may be moved away from the friction "bar 22 compressing the springs59- an amount suflicient to release the pad 49, the bar 22, from suchspring pressure thus allowing the increment mechanism 3! to be movedfreely up 'or down the friction bar '22 as desired.

In operation after the distance A has been adjusted to the spacing ofthe platforms or supports l3 and when the increment mechanism is itslowermost position, control handle 25v is raised admitting pressure ofair to the lower portion of the cylinder, raising the piston rod I5 andthe boom I4 with the vertical slide 16- mov-. ing in the guide channelsI8. The cartridge 12 is moved outward from the refrigerator a distancebefore the firstplatform or support 13 is encountered. Before the upperplatform l-Si-s exposed bumper detent 40- engages the trigger 42 movingit into engagement With the rack bar teeth -so that both the rack bar 32and the increment mechanism 3| move upwardly, the increment mechanismsliding against a friction clamping action of the brake pad "49 onthe'bar "212 The upward movement of the cartridge I2, rack-bar 32' andincrement mechanism BI is" stopped when the top of the rack bar 32engages the bottom of the friction block 31, at which time the uppermostplatform l3 should be exposed for unloading the object carried thereby.In this position'no other object in the cartridge is exposed. Thecontrol lever remains in the position illustrated during the unloadingoperation. As soon as the uppermost object has been removed and whilesuch object is being utilized, as for example when the object is a valveseat and the same is being inserted into position in an engine block,the cartridge should be lowered or retracted into the refrigerator forcontinued cooling of the objects held thereby. For this purpose thecontrol lever is lowered to the down position admitting compressed airto the top end of the cylinderand moving the piston downwardly under airpressure. Pressure is desirable for moving the piston downward when thefriction of the piston and packing may be stronger than gravity as isoften the case with new and unworn parts. When the slide [6 movesdownward :bumper detent 40 moves away from the trigger 42- and the pin43 with cam V 41 disengage the trigger from the rack bar teeth in eventthe springs 44 may not have been strong enough for this purpose. Therack bar 32 moves down no further than an amount for it to engage the'top'of its lower bearing 36. The increment mechanism 3| however remainsin clamped position friction held to the bar 22 while the slide 16 andbumper projection 38 are moved downward far enough for the cartridge 12to be fully enclosed by the recess or well into which it extends. Afterthe top object has been inserted '1 in position and the operator isready to withdraw another one from the cartridge the same cartridge isagain raised the same amount as it was raised on the preceding upwardmovement plus an amount of travel equal to the increment A. As thepreviously unloaded platform I3 is exposed, bumper detent '40 engagestrigger 42' causing the increment mechanism and rack bar to be moved uptogether another increment distance A after which the same cycle ofoperation is performed, each succeeding. outward movement of thecartridge being the same as the preceding outward movement plus anamount equal to the increment distance A.

After one cartridge 12 has been unloaded it may be reloaded after aloaded spare cartridge has been pushed into the refrigerator forchilling. A thumb nut carried by the outer end of the boom I4 is thenreleasedfor-engaging another one of several cartridges [2 as describedin said prior application of Ahlstrand and Patch Serial No. 662;100,'filed April 1-7, 1946, for Cold Treatillg Method and Machine. In thisway the same boom and increment mechanism are effective to raise any oneofseveral cartridges in a step by step movement. 7

Among the advantages of this invention may be mentioned the exposure orwithdrawal of only one chilled object at a time so that the remaininglower objects in a cartridge are shielded or protected from directcontact with the atmosphere to prevent the unnecessary deposit ofmoisture on the objects .as would follow were such objects to be exposedto the atmosphere longer than necessary. The increment mechanismisresponsive to movement of the cartridge in only one direction, namely,outwardly from V the refrigerator. When objects of greater thickfor theobjects to be chilled. When the platform spacing is changed the settingof the stop block 31 should also be changed in order that the incrementdistance A may correspond with the longitudinal spacing of the platformsin the cartridge. The increment mechanism and refrigerator arepreferably secured together and mounted on wheels to constitute aportable refrigerator or shrink fit apparatus. The fluid pressure supplypipe 21 is connected with the factory compressed air system and noseparate source of air pressure being necessary, although of coursewhere no such factory fluid pressure system exists a separate pump orother source of fluid pressure may be embodied in the portable unit.Detent 40 is cushioned to permit the teeth of the trigger 42 to huntengagement with the teeth of rack bar 32 thus safeguarding theengagement of these teeth against possible fracture due to misalignmentor other causes. After the piston and its packing have become worn fluidpressure may not be needed to lower the cartridge as the weight of thecartridge [2, boom l4 and slide [6 may be sufficient to move downwardlyunder the infiuence of gravity when pressure on the underside of thepiston is relieved by being exhausted to the atmosphere.

I claim:

1. The combination with a piston rod and cylinder, of a housingalongside of which said cylinder is located, said housing being providedtherein with a recess, a cartridge movable in and out of said recess, abeam extending transversely of said housing and connecting saidcartridge with one of said piston rod and cylinder, a stational guiderod parallel to the cylinder and recess axes, an increment mechanismmovable along said guide rod, a stop for limiting each outward movementof said mechanism to a predetermined amount, a brake for holding saidmechanism to said guide bar, a valve for admitting fluid under pressureto one end of said cylinder for moving said beam and cartridge out ofthe housing and recess until said stop is reached, said valve beingmovable to another position to release pressure from said cylinder toallow movement of the beam and cartridge toward said housing and recess,a successive movement of the beam away from the housing and recess beingof the magnitude of such preceding movement away from the housing andrecess plus said predeter mined amount and said movement ofpredetermined amount effecting a movement of said increment mechanismand a slipping of said brake.

2. The combination with a piston rod and cylinder, of a housingalongside of which said cylinder is located, said housing being providedtherein with a recess, a cartridge movable in and out of said recess, abeam extending transversely of said housing and connecting saidcartridge with one of said piston rod and cylinder, a stationary guiderod parallel to the cylinder and recess axes, an increment mechanismmovable along said guide rod, a stop for limiting each cu ward movementof said mechanism to a predetermined amount, a brake for holding saidmechanism to said guide bar, a valve for admitting i'luid under pressureto one end of said cylinder for moving said beam and cartridge out ofthe housing and recess until said stop is reached, said valve beingmovable to another position to release pressure from said cylinder andallow movement of the beam and cartridge toward said housing and recess,a movement of the beam away from the housing and recess being of themagnitude of such preceding movement away from the housing and recessplus said predetermined amount and said movement of predetermined amounteffecting a movement of said increment mechanism and a slipping of saidbrake, said increment mechanism including a rack bar paralleling theguide rod, a pivotal trigger engaging said rack bar in response tomovement of said beam approaching said trigger, said rack bar engagingsaid stop to limit said outward movement, and a cam for disengaging saidtrigger and. rack bar on completion of said predetermined movement ofthe increment mechanism.

3. The combination according to claim 2 comprising a brake release formanually disconnecting said increment mechanism from said guide bar forfreely sliding said mechanism along the guide bar upon completion ofoutward movements of said beam.

4. The combination with machine having a housing provided with a wellextending below the top of the housing, a multi-platform cartridgemovable into the well, a cover secured to said cartridge for closing thetop of said well when the cartridge is in place within the well andmechanism for lifting said cartridge from the well, returning it intothe well, and again lifting it from the well in successive movementseach lifting movement being of a rigid slide, the movement of which islonger than the preceding lifting movement by an increment equal to thespacing of the platforms in the cartridge, said increase in the liftingmovement being automatic in response to actuation of said mechanism.

5. The combination with temperature chang ing apparatus having a housingprovided with a recess, of a plurality of spaced work supports movablein and out of said housing and recess, means for selectively ejectingsaid plurality of work supports one at a time from said housing andrecess, said last mentioned means including a slidable elongated membercarrying said work supports and cooperating, with a stop, guide meansfor said elongated member, an increment mechanism movable along saidelongated member in successive steps, said mechanism includ-v ing abrake for holding said increment mechanism and elongated member insuccessive adjusted positions, each movement of the elongated memberbeing substantially equal to the spacing of said work supports, wherebyoutward movement of said elongated member in steps moves said worksupports as a unit but is adapted to expose only one of them at a timemore than was exposed before.

6. The combination with temperature changing apparatus, of a pluralityof spaced work supports, means for selectively ejecting said pluralityof work supports, said last mentioned means including a slidableelongated member cooperating with a stop, an increment mechanism movablealong said elongated member in successive steps, said mechanismincluding a brake for holding said increment mechanism and elongatedmember in successive adjusted positions, each movement of the elongatedmember being substantially equal to the spacing of said work supports,said increment mechanism also including a pivotal trigger movable toengage and move with said elongated member in response to movement ofsaid ejecting means.

7. The combination with temperature changing apparatus, of, a pluralityof spaced work supports, means for selectively ejecting said p111:

aseaeae 7 rality of Work supports, said last mentioned means including a"slidable elongated member cooperating with a stop, an incrementmechan'ism movable along said elongated member in successive steps, saidmechanism including a brake for holding said increment mechanism andelongated member in successive adjusted positionsg'each movement :of theelongated memher being substantially equal to the spacing of said worksupports, said increment mechanism also including a pivotal triggermovable to engage and move with said elongated member in response tomovement of said ejecting means, and means to. disengage said triggerand elongated member after said member engages said. stop.

8. The combination with temperature changing apparatus, of a pluralityofspaced work supports, means for selectively ejecting said plurality ofWork supports, said last'mentioned means including a sl'idable elongatedmember cooperating with a stop,. an increment mechanism movable alongsaid elongated member in successive stbpasaid mechanism including abrake for holding said increment mechanism and elongated member insuccessive adjusted positions, each movement of the elongated memberbeing substantially equal to the spacing of said work supports, saidincrement mechanism also including a pivotal trigger movable to engageand move with saidelongated member in response to movement of saidejecting means, and means to disengagesaid trigger and elongated memberafter said member engages said stop, a fixed member along. which saidbrake moves while the trigger is connected to and moves with saidelongated member said brake holding the increment mechanism in adjustedposition on the fixed member while the trigger is disengaged from theelongatedJmember.

9. The combination with a refrigerator having awell extending into thesame through the top thereof, a work holding cartridge having spacedplatforms for supporting workpieces, elevating means for said cartridge,means for stopping said elevating means to expose successive platforms,and means for retracting said elevating means and cartridge betweensuccessive outward movements, thereof, said means for stopping theelevating means to'- expose successive platforms including a stationaryguide, a stop, an elongated shiftable member parallel to said guide,

a brake-member slidable along said guide, and

an increment mechanismbetween said guide and elongated member andincluding a pivotal member adapted to engage said elongated member andbe moved therewith in response to upward movement by said elevatingmeans, said increment mechanism and brake being slidable along saidguide during movement-of said elongated member, said pivotal memberbeing disengaged from said elongated member after engagement with saidstop, the mechanism being held to said guide during retracting of theelongated member and elevating means.

10. A refrigerator comprising a plurality of wells extending into therefrigeratorfrom its top,.a boom extending over said top, a head oversaid Wells, a cartridge for each Well having a pluralityof superposedobject receiving platforms, meansfor selectively connecting said headwith the -cartridge for lifting one of them at a time fromits well, andmeans for elevating'said boom successive amounts to successively exposesaid platforms one at a time;

11. A- refrigerator having a casing provided with a recess, a pluralityof spaced wo'rk supports connected together for simultaneous movement inand outof the casing recess, means for so moving said supports in andout of the casing, and increment mechanism responsive to outwardmovement of said supports and means responsive to -a previous outwardmovement of said sup-- ports whereby successive outward movements ofsaid supports from within said casing are each larger than the precedingsuch outward movement by an amount equal to the spacing of said worksupports;

12. A refrigerator having a recess in the top thereof for receiving aplurality of superposed objects, vertically spaced work supports forsaid objects, means for moving said objects as a unit in and out of therecess and including a valve on the outside of said refrigerator, afluid mot-or controlled by said value and an increment mechani'smresponsive to-a former movement of saidobject moving means by means ofwhich successive spaced objects are exposed one at'a time, said valvebeing movable to retract the unexposed objects between each outwardmovement of said mechanism.

13. Apparatus for treating a plurality of spaced objects which comprisesmeans whereby objects may be inserted into the apparatus to effect atemperature change in them, means for Withdrawing said objects from theapparatus to minimize the loss in temperature difference in them whichincludes means for outwardly moving said plurality of objects to exposeat least one but not all of said objects whereby only'an exposed one ofthem may be removed without removing any more, means for withdrawing theremaining objects within the apparatus, and means responsive to aformer'movement whereby said objects may be moved again outwardly anamount equal to the former outward movement plus a fixed increment ofoutward travel in addition.

14. Apparatus for treating a plurality of spaced objects which comprisesmeans whereby objects may be inserted into the apparatus to effect atemperature change in them, means for withdrawing said objects from theapparatus to minimize the' loss in temperature difference in themwhichincludes means for outwardly moving said plurality of objectsto exposeat least one but not all of said objects whereby only an exposed one ofthem may be removed without removing any more, means for withdrawing theremaining objects within'the apparatus, and means responsive to a formermovement whereby said o'bjectsmay be moved'agairi outwardly an amountequal to the former'outward movement plus a fixed increment of outwardtravel in addition, said increm'entbeing equal in amount to the spacingof'sa'id objects.

RUDOLPH F. HINSCHLAGER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Paulson Nov. 27, 1945

